Early Signs of Bunions: What to Do Once You See Them

Laura Dorwart
·4 min read

Medically reviewed by Danielle McNeil, D.P.M

A bunion, also called hallux valgus, refers to a bony and often painful bump on the side of the big toe. This is most commonly caused by a misalignment of the big toe.

Early signs of bunions include redness, thickened skin, swelling, and tenderness around your big toe joint. While you can’t reverse a bunion’s growth, you can manage your symptoms along the way.

This article will discuss the early signs of bunions, as well as pain management and treatment options.

Early (Visual) Signs of Bunions

At first, bunions start small and don’t cause many obvious problems. In the early stages of a bunion, you may notice the following symptoms around your metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint, which connects the base of your big toe to the rest of your foot:

  • Redness

  • Darkened skin

  • Swelling

  • Hard, thickened skin

  • A bony lump

  • Prominence (the big toe moving toward the second toe or even moving under it)

  • Calluses and corns

Early (Physical) Signs of Bunions

While bunions may not be visually obvious right away, they can cause discomfort even in the beginning stages. Here are some early physical signs of a growing bunion:

  • Pain in the foot and big toe, especially when you walk and/or wear tight, narrow-toed shoes

  • Tenderness

  • Inflammation

  • Swelling

  • Stiffness

  • Decreased movement of the big toe

  • Heat

Do Bunions Form in Stages?

Bunions are often progressive, meaning that they get worse over time. If you don’t take steps to prevent your bunions from growing, you may develop complications. The following symptoms are associated with bunions in advanced stages:

  • Chronic, severe pain in and around the MTP joint and the sides and bottom of your foot

  • Bursitis, which causes a fluid-filled sac to form at the bottom of your big toe

  • Big toe bending towards and even crossing over your second toe

  • Excess bony growth along the side of your big toe

  • Inability to fit into your regular shoes

  • Difficulty walking

  • Hammer toe deformities, in which your second, third, or fourth toes bend upwards in the middle (resembling a hammer or claw)

  • Arthritis of the big toe, known as hallux rigidus

Can Anything Stop Bunions From Progressing?

Once bunions have started to develop, they will become permanent. However, there are a few ways to stop them from getting worse or causing further complications. These include:

  • Avoiding ill-fitting shoes and high heels

  • Wearing orthopedic footwear and/or wide, comfortable, soft-soled, and low-heeled shoes

  • Placing spacers between your toes to prevent rubbing and chafing

  • Covering the bunion with over-the-counter (OTC) pads made out of felt, silicone, or foam

  • Stretching out your calf muscles to improve joint alignment



Bunions and Pain Management

Ice packs and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as Advil or Motrin (ibuprofen), can help to relieve bunion pain. Studies also suggest that Botox injections into your forefoot muscles can provide pain relief.



Nonsurgical Bunion Treatment in Early Stages

If your bunions keep getting worse once you take the above self-care steps, you may need treatment from a podiatrist (foot specialist) or another healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider may recommend:

  • Foot orthoses, or orthotics: These custom-made inserts are specially designed to relieve bunion-related pain and prevent chafing.

  • Splints: Typically used at night, bunion splints are orthotic devices that may help to realign your toes.

  • Physical therapy: A physical therapist can help you by providing exercises to improve the alignment of your feet and joints. They may also perform manual therapy to provide pain relief.



Podiatrist Referrals

A podiatrist is a medical doctor (M.D.) who specializes in treating health conditions that affect the feet, ankles, and lower parts of the legs. Ask your healthcare provider for a referral to a podiatrist if you’d like help in managing your bunion symptoms.



When to Consider Bunion Surgery

If nonsurgical treatment options don’t work, bunion surgery may be the right choice for you. In a bunion removal surgery, or bunionectomy, an orthopedic surgeon or podiatrist typically removes the bony bump from the side of your toe and takes steps to repair the MTP joint.

You may want to consider bunion surgery if you:

  • Find it difficult to walk or wear shoes

  • Have chronic pain

  • Can’t move your big toe

  • Have trouble participating in your usual activities

Summary

Bunions affect about one-third of U.S. adults. Although they are common, they can be very uncomfortable and even make it difficult to walk or find shoes that fit.

Early signs of bunions include swelling, redness, and tenderness around the base of the big toe. Over time, your big toe joint may start to stick out more, making it painful to put pressure on your foot.

Talk to a healthcare provider, such as a podiatrist, if you begin to notice early signs of a growing bunion. They can recommend nonsurgical pain management and treatment options to provide relief and help you participate in your daily activities without discomfort.

Read the original article on Verywell Health.